Junior Guards – California Junior Lifeguards

Lifeguard training, ocean safety, fitness, and teamwork—get ready for an action-packed summer!

What is the Junior Guards Program?

The California Junior Lifeguard Programs are 2-week long day camps providing instruction in first-aid, CPR, ocean safety, rescue techniques, surfing, and bodyboarding. Instruction, supervision, and activities are managed by the California Junior Lifeguard Programs Inc. Swimmers, surfers, and bodyboarders of all ability and skill levels, ages 8-17, are eligible to sign up for the programs. Additional activities include interpretive and educational presentations from members of the local community.

✅ For ages 7-17
✅ Led by trained instructors & lifeguards
✅ Both 2-week and 1-week options available

Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Program Options

Two-Week Sessions

✅ Ages: 8-17
✅ Duration: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
✅ Location: Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point
✅ Tuition: $700 per session

📅 Available Sessions:

1st – June 8 to June 19
2nd – June 22 to July 3
3rd – July 6 to July 17
4th – July 20 to July 31
5th – August 3 to August 14

One-Week Essentials

✅ Ages: 7-17
✅ Duration: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
✅ Location: Salt Creek Beach, Dana Point
✅ Tuition: $400 per session

🔹 A condensed version of our 2-week program, perfect for new participants or those with limited availability!

📅 Available Sessions:

#1 – June 8 to June 12
#2 – June 15 to June 19
#3 – June 22 to June 26
#4 – June 29 to July 3
#5 – July 6 to July 10
#6 – July 13 to July 17
#7 – July 20 to July 24
#8 – July 27 to July 31
#9 – August 3 to August 7
#10 – August 10 to August 14

Note: The One-Week Essential Program offers a condensed version of our full program, ideal for those transitioning from the Back Bay Summer Camp or unable to attend the full two weeks.

Program Activites

The Junior Lifeguard Program focuses on both lifeguard skills and ocean safety, with a variety of activities:

🚨 Lifeguard Training

First-aid, CPR, ocean rescues, and injury prevention

🌿 Ocean Awareness

Understanding tides, rip currents, and marine life

💪 Fitness & Endurance

Open water swimming, running, and water confidence drills

🏄 Fun Beach Games

Bodyboarding, paddling, and beach games

Our certified instructors are dedicated to providing a safe, educational, and enjoyable environment for all participants.

Goals and objectives

🔹 To provide an educational and recreational environment to instruct young people on how to handle themselves safely in a variety of ocean situations.

🔹 To educate participants in the skills necessary to help others in an emergency situation.

🔹 To help our participants build a sense of teamwork and self-respect that will be an asset in future endeavors.

🔹 Increase the awareness our young people have of our environment and the vital part it plays in all of our lives.

Tryout Requirements

To ensure the safety and readiness of our participants, new applicants aged 8-17 must successfully complete a swim assessment:

🔹 Swim 100 yards within 2.5 minutes

(adjusted based on testing conditions)

🔹 Tread water for 5 minutes

🔹 Swim underwater for 10 yards

Tryouts are conducted by ARC-certified lifeguard personnel. Candidates who have previously completed a recognized junior lifeguard program are exempt but must provide a certificate of completion.

Uniform Requirements

Participants are required to wear the official Junior Lifeguard uniform to promote unity and professionalism:

🔹 Junior Lifeguard uniform t-shirt

(or plain white t-shirt without logos)

🔹 Plain red swim trunks for all participants

🔹 Sun hat or ball cap

🔹 Protective footwear

🔹 Surf-style swim fins

(not scuba or snorkeling fins)

Uniforms can be purchased during scheduled tryouts, at our camps or online.

Registration Process

Complete the Online Application:

Visit our registration portal by clicking our “REGISTER NOW” button to select your desired session, fill out the application form, and submit payment.

Early registration is encouraged due to limited class sizes.